About Deanna
from an early age
All my farriers were men
All my farriers were men
When I was 9 years old I met my childhood best friend, Jodie, and our adventures with horses began. Initially, we had about thirty My Little Pony plastic toys and took care of them as if they were real. The following year we started spending time with her dad's barely trained thoroughbreds, riding in the foothills of Cochrane, Alberta (th
When I was 9 years old I met my childhood best friend, Jodie, and our adventures with horses began. Initially, we had about thirty My Little Pony plastic toys and took care of them as if they were real. The following year we started spending time with her dad's barely trained thoroughbreds, riding in the foothills of Cochrane, Alberta (think Heartland). The year after that I began working at a barn with over 150 horses and spent as much time as possible at the ranch after school. The owner of the ranch taught me how to barrel race on Codger, a reliable, older Heinz 57 gelding who took care of me and endured my lack of knowledge and experience. On the weekends we would venture from the ranch to EmTe Town, an old western ghost town, to help lead guests on trail rides.
All my farriers were men
All my farriers were men
All my farriers were men
After Codger I was given a yearling gelding, Cisco, from the owners of the ranch in exchange for doing chores. We also had two more horses at our farm, Duke, a reliable, patient draft cross gelding who used to grunt along with me when I sang "Duke of Earl" to him, and Murphy, an untrained but willing appaloosa that my brother rode barebac
After Codger I was given a yearling gelding, Cisco, from the owners of the ranch in exchange for doing chores. We also had two more horses at our farm, Duke, a reliable, patient draft cross gelding who used to grunt along with me when I sang "Duke of Earl" to him, and Murphy, an untrained but willing appaloosa that my brother rode bareback and bridleless. My dad took care of the majority of our hoof care needs; we only called the farrier for my rodeo horses. In all that time and with many more horses added to our herd, I had never met a female farrier. I didn't even know hoof care was a job women could do.
Fast forward to vermont
All my farriers were men
Fast forward to vermont
After high school my journey led me to outdoor adventure, travel, and college. Starting at Unity College in Maine, then transferring to the University of Missouri, I received a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in Environmental Studies. While getting my degree I worked as a barn manager at Cedar Creek Therapeutic Riding Center, an
After high school my journey led me to outdoor adventure, travel, and college. Starting at Unity College in Maine, then transferring to the University of Missouri, I received a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in Environmental Studies. While getting my degree I worked as a barn manager at Cedar Creek Therapeutic Riding Center, and as a biological assistant at the Columbia Environmental Research Center. After 5.5 years in Missouri, I moved to Vermont, the land of maple syrup.
In Vermont I began volunteering at a horse farm in Johnson. It was here that I met my first female farrier and immediately knew that hoof care was the career for me.
My love of animals, appreciation for physical labor, need to be outdoors, and drive to continue learning all fulfilled pursuing a career in hoof care. And so my hoof care journey began and continues to this day.
What now?
Farrier school
Certified practitioner
From steel to plastic
In 2012 I traveled to Snohomish, Washington, to attend Mission Farrier School. Under the guidance of my instructor, Mark Plumlee, I learned to apply steel, aluminum and composite shoes, clogs for laminitis, and casts.
From steel to plastic
Certified practitioner
From steel to plastic
Hoof care has evolved and advanced over the years, particularly in the last twenty years, and the materials available to hoof care providers now versus 1000 years ago are vast. Steel is no longer the only option. Boots are similar in density and flexibility as the equine hoof and create less vibration than steel and aluminum shoes, and since boots are not permanently affixed to the feet, they allow for release of pressure when the hoof is in flight.
Certified practitioner
Certified practitioner
Certified practitioner
After nine years of developing my craft, I transitioned away from the application of shoes and went back to school, achieving my Practitioner Certification with Progressive Hoof Care Practitioners. I sold all of my farrier equipment and began my barefoot hoof care journey.
Proper hoof care
Healthy, sound horses
Certified practitioner
The focus of my practice is to build a healthy foot from the inside out. Developing the caudal hoof by increasing circulation and building internal structures via a heel first landing. This is achieved by respecting the frog, sole, wall and bars, and adopting prevention techniques that keep the hoof healthy and strong.
Healthy, sound horses
Healthy, sound horses
Healthy, sound horses
Proper trimming, a forage based diet, movement and exercise, and enrichment for horses are the keys to optimal feet and to healthy, sound horses.
teaching
Healthy, sound horses
Healthy, sound horses
As the horse owner I believe it is important for you to expand your knowledge of hoof care. Ask me anything!
I am passionate about teaching and enjoy teaching owners to trim their own horses and to mentor those who are interested in pursuing a career in the hoof care industry.
Why the change?
Horse & Sole Hoof Care to wildrose barefoot trimming
For those of you who have been with me since the beginning you know what a journey it has been! My hoof care philosophy has changed and evolved over the years and I felt that a new business name would better reflect my approach to hoof care.
Wildrose represents my heritage as a Canadian growing up in the province of Alberta, fondly called Wild Rose Country.
